Page 305 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

And I’d never willingly admit to either.

Marchella tilts her head back and chuckles, but she gives her hands…and me…a rest. “Wow, that’s something I never expected you to admit.”

“How can I lie? I can barely breathe,” I grumble, still shielding myself because I don’t fully trust that she won’t try to wield her weapons over me again.

She lets out a sigh and leans back into the mattress. “You keep surprising me,” she murmurs. “I don’t know what to expect next.”

“I like to keep people on their toes,” I say, throwing caution to the wind and rolling onto my side. I’m exposed right now but hoping she will reserve her next attack. “In your case, on your back works well.” I wink at her and she smiles up at me. I smooth a strand of her hair away from her face, her eyes now more blue than green. I’ve noticed that when she’s happy, they tend to favor that sapphire hue.

I could watch them change color all day, every day.

I could allow myself to slip away into the pools of expressive color.

But I know my big, fat ego would just sling a line around my neck and pull me back out.

Because I have no business being with this girl. She shines brighter than a sky full of stars when she’s content, and I’m the kind of guy who would only stomp out all of the sparkle.

I’m no knight in shining armor, and he’s the kind of guy Marchella needs — someone she can trust, someone she can rely on, and someone she can respect.

I’m none of those things.

I wasn’t ever those things.

Sure, I have my moments, but she shouldn’t have to deal with all of the in-between bullshit. Sounds to me like her father was the same way, if I’m even the slightest bit like him.

She needs something more…something better.

Work is my life.

I don’t have room for romance.

But even as my mind repeats the words, a nagging feeling deep in my gut reminds me about Bella, and I know I’m full of crap.

Not that I can do anything about it when I’m so close to dangling her brother over an open flame to get back what he stole.

That’s not exactly white knight behavior.

That’s the demon inside, the only role I can ever really play well.

So this thing between us?

This rush of electricity?

This all-consuming passion?

It can never be more than a blip on my radar.

No matter how much I want it…us…to be more.

And lying to myself about all the reasons why it can’t happen will only make it harder to walk away.

CHAPTER14

MARCHELLA

It was a distraction. Plain and simple.

That’s the story I’m selling.

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